The University of Tokyo

Kiyoshi Matsumiya

Noriaki Yamanaka

Takeyoshi Dohi

Ken Masamune

Siyang Zuo

There is provided a flexibility/rigidity adjustable apparatus which can change over its state between a flexible state in which such apparatus is freely bendable and a rigid state in which such bending is restricted when in use. A flexible closing coverwhich can expand/shrink is provided on an outer circumferenceof a flexible tube. A latching memberwhich moves together with the closing coveris provided, and a latching-member receiving partwith which the latching membercan engage is provided at the outer circumferenceof the tube. A closed spaceformed between the closing coverand the tubeis connected to an air inlet/outlet part. As the air is evacuated through the inlet/outlet partto change the pressurized condition of the closed spacefrom an atmospheric pressure condition to a negative pressure condition, the closing coverreduces its diameter around an axis, and the latching memberis caused to engage with the latching-member receiving part. As air is supplied in the closed spaceto make the interior thereof in an atmospheric pressure condition, the closing coverexpands, and engagement of latching memberwith the latching-member receiving partis released, so that the tubebecomes a flexible state from a rigid state.

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Tokyo, Japan

Kiyoshi Matsumiya